Millions of Tanzanian children protected against measles

Waiting in line for vaccination

Tanzanian mothers and caregivers wait in line with their children to receive life-saving interventions. There was high community demand for measles vaccination.

Measles is a highly contagious, viral, respiratory infection. The virus weakens the immune system, often killing children because of complications from diarrhoea and pneumonia. This is particularly true for children in developing countries who do not have access to adequate health care services. Those who survive measles can have permanent disabilities, including brain damage and blindness. Although deaths from measles have declined dramatically in the last decade, measles was responsible for an estimated 454 000 in 2004.